Bruno will retire, end 32-year career

Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno on Friday will resign from the seat he's held since 1976, ending 32 years in public service.

"I have no regrets because this has been a great trip and it is time for me to ride off into the sunset," said Bruno in a statement released Tuesday.

Bruno, who gave up his majority leader post last month, is retiring after announcing several major economic development projects for the Capital Region.

On Tuesday, he joined Gov. David Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in unveiling a $1.5 billion investment by IBM in upstate New York. In recent weeks, Bruno also disclosed a plan by Momentive Performance Materials to move its worldwide headquarters to Rensselaer County, the expansion of biomedical research at UAlbany's East Campus in East Greenbush, a new neonatal care unit at Albany Medical Center and a new rail terminal in Mechanicville.

Developing the Capital Region has been Bruno's priority, and will likely be the lasting legacy of his 14 years as majority leader.

Citing these achievements, Bruno said, "As a businessman, job creation was my top priority and I'm proud that these new projects are in place to build on our economic successes in the Capital Region and boost the economy of all of upstate New York."

Bruno said he hopes to work in the private sector, and a person with knowledge of the situation said Bruno has discussed joining CMA Consulting Services as an executive. Bruno is close to Kay Stafford, widow of former Sen. Ronald Stafford and head of CMA.

"I want to do something, because, frankly, I'm not the kind of guy to retire and just play with horses and golf and whatever else is there," Bruno said.

The former Senate Republican leader stunned colleagues and political foes alike when he said on June 23 that he would not seek re-election in November. He quickly bowed out as majority leader and was replaced by his deputy, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, who must now try to hold onto the Senate majority in this November's elections.

Bruno's departure leaves Republicans with a slim 31-30 majority in the Senate. But Bruno said he wasn't worried that his conference would be outvoted if the Legislature reconvenes before the election, saying he has spoken with Paterson and the Senate would only return if there was a "consensus."

Bruno leaves office in the shadow of an ongoing, two-and-a-half year investigation into his public and private business dealings.

Bruno said is not concerned about the investigation, but indicated that he would like to see it end.

"There is nothing there, and I am told by my lawyers, who I met with yesterday, there is absolutely nothing that we have done wrong. So I'm very comfortable in that. But would it be nice if people would just go on and let me live my life? Yes, that would be very, very nice," he said.